Kevin O'Brien Biography

Has there ever been a cricketer who embodies the culture of their nation as much as Kevin O'Brien does for Ireland? Scrappy yet jovial, laid-back yet somehow intense, O'Brien is arguably the most charismatic cricketer Ireland have ever produced.

He has played two innings of vastly contrasting styles that helped Ireland pull off major upsets in the World Cup. First, chasing Pakistan's 132, he showed tremendous patience to score a gritty, unconquered 52-ball 16 as Ireland pulled off a heist in the ICC World Cup 2007. Then, four years on, he thrashed a hapless England attack to all ends of Bangalore en route to a 50-ball century — the fastest ever World Cup ton — as Ireland pulled off the highest successful chase in the game's big event.

The youngest O'Brien has cricket in his veins; his father Brendan "Ginger" O'Brien having played a bit of First-Class for Ireland, while his sister Ciara played for Ireland Women. His older brother Niall was the mastermind of that fateful chase against Pakistan. The O'Briens are truly one of Irish cricket's most iconic families.